New boutique opens on Main Street in Schroon

SCHROON | If it's a thoughtful gift or a timeless find a customer is seeking as they stroll along Main Street in Schroon, the new boutique Tamilia Peppercorn will be a delightful stop on the shopping route. "The store is about an eclectic collection by conscious selection, because that's the truth," explained owner Tammy Gallo. "We have some fair trade, we have made in the USA, we have some local artists' pieces, and we have things we think are beautiful." The building's exterior cannot be missed, with its fresh deep gray siding and tastefully tinted glass windows beckoning patrons to poke their heads in. After a lengthy three-year renovation phase, the fondly remembered and former Purple Raven structure now boasts a beautiful new sign above the door, the name derived from Gallo's handwritten correspondence between her lifelong friend Jennifer, who dubbed her beloved penpal Gallo 'Tamilia Pepperdorn' and addressed her letters as such. "People need places to go and things to look forward to visiting," noted Gallo's partner, Marco Valsi. "We thought it was important not to be tepid in our efforts, we want to be here for the community; I think of shopping here as just a great experience and an eclectic adventure." Tamilia Peppercorn opened in time to enjoy the bustling Schroon Lake Independence Day weekend, introducing residents and visitors to their wide variety of items that would be hard to find anyplace else, many one-of-a-kind items found on the shelves. There is of course clothing and jewelry, purses and bags, desktop treasures, luxury items and toiletries (even the perfume oils have no synthetic ingredients), many of the displays situated on and around antique furniture. It is a store that rivals any of the shops scattered along Saratoga Springs' Broadway and Phila Streets, but the beauty of Gallo and Valsi's design is that there is no limit or discrimination when it comes to clientele- there is something for everyone, and all are welcomed with open arms. There are items for $3, and there are items for $98. "I grew up in Lake Placid and I know what it's like when you are a local and you can't afford those things in your own village because it's a tourist town," she recalled. "I don't want Tamilia Peppercorn to be like that. Someone assumed immediately that we were a high-end store. I invited her just to come in and take a look." Over the span of the past 40 years, Gallo has owned and operated three other boutique shops, and has also worked in fine jewelry. When seeking inventory to bring into Tamilia Peppercorn, the number one consideration is quality, there is no compromising there. "Jewelry is important, and being of decent quality doesn't have to be pure gold, the pieces we have are good quality, we have sterling silver from Montana, we are hoping to get a local silversmith's pieces," she revealed. "Our jewelry is fun, but it isn't costume, the stones are genuine." The clothing selection at Tamilia Peppercorn includes both fair trade and made in the USA selections, and a recent browse in the clothing section at a well-known chain store left Gallo extremely disappointed in the quality that she saw. "What I noticed is that the prices on some of our items are probably better, which I am really thankful to see," Gallo shared. "And our guarantee is better." The store opened in time to enjoy the bustling and profitable Schroon Lake Independence Day weekend, even selling out of all their dresses. More have been ordered and restocked since, with a wide range of prices. For those who have visited, the store is everything Gallo and Valsi claim. The decor is elegant and tasteful, with just the right dash of unique touches to make a strong first impression. It is a mix of modern energy infused with vintage flair, a handsome mid-19th-century sofa greets guests in the entryway. "I also wanted to make sure the store would complement the other shops in town, and I think it works pretty well," Gallo noted. "We are a lot different, we don't have Schroon Lake memorabilia, because it is already well-covered. That's great. That means we can do other things and bring in what we feel is good for everyone." The antique oval coffee table features Viking-style mugs crafted from ox horns, with shot glasses and leather jewelry for men not far away. Patrons should take their time when browsing, absorbing the rich detail and hand-selected merchandise. "People can come in and feel at ease, the atmosphere should feel welcoming and you should be able to linger," Gallo said. Gallo said it was important to her and Valsi that the store was ADA compliant and stroller accessible. "Many little shops, especially if they are grandfathered in, don't feature ADA-compliant features," she said. "We had the entire sidewalk out front redone to make sure you could come up to the door, and we made sure there is room to turn around within the store." And despite Schroon Lake growing by leaps and bounds yearly as a popular seasonal visitor location, Gallo promises she believes the local patrons are her bread and butter. "My customers are the most important thing to me," she admitted. "I want everyone to leave with a smile on their face, I want everyone to be pleased. That is the most satisfying thing in the world to see. I think people will be pleasantly surprised." Tamilia Peppercorn is located at 1100 Route 9 (Main Street) in Schroon Lake. Hours of operation are weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays, and closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Follow the store on Instagram @tamilia.peppercorn.

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New boutique opens on Main Street in Schroon

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